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Topic 10 Vertical Curves
Topic 10 Vertical Curves
Gradients
In the same way that horizontal curves are used to connect intersecting straights in the
horizontal plane, vertical curves are used to connect intersecting straights in the vertical
plane. These straights are usually called gradients and the combination of the of the
gradients and vertical curve is known as vertical alignment.
Gradients are usually expressed as percentages, e.g. 1 in 50 = 2%, 1 in 25% = 4% . As
with transition curves these measurements are directly linked to road design.
In the design calculations the algebraic difference A between the gradients is used. This
requires the introduction of the sign convention that gradients rising in the direction of
increasing chainage are considered to be positive and those falling are considered to he
negative.
This results in six different combinations of gradient. These are shown below.
A = m%(entry gradient) n% (exit gradient)
The sign convention applied is that gradients which rise in the direction of increasing
chainage are considered positive and gradients which fall in the direction of increasing
chainage are considered negative.
A crest curve is defined as one in which the algebraic difference between the
intersecting gradients is positive.
A sag is defined as one in which the algebraic difference between the intersecting
gradients is negative.
Either can be uncomfortable and dangerous for passengers and these forces are
minimised by restricting the gradients on roadways and by choosing an appropriate type
and length of curve for the situation.
Adequate Visibility
In order that vehicles travelling at the design speed can stop or overtake safely they
must be able to see oncoming vehicles or obstruction clearly and in good time.
The length of vertical curve used must ensure that any visibility requirements are met.
This is achieved using sight distances and K values.
Vertical Curves Geometry
Due to restrictions on the maximum gradients, in practice Vertical curves are
categorised as flat curves.
The definition of a flat curve is that if its length is Lv and radius is R, then:
Lv
1 / 10
R
x = cy 2
Vertical curves are generally designed with equal tangent lengths such that PQ = OR.
Assumptions made are:
Chord PWR = Arc PSR = PQ + QR
Length along the tangents = horizontal length, i.e. PQ = PQ
QU = QW, i.e. there is no difference in dimensions measured either in the vertical plane
or perpendicular to the entry tangent length
Let QS = e and the length of the curve = Lv. The basic equation is modified to give a
general equation including the design terms from:
Level of Q above P = ,
Level of R below Q =
m Lv mLv
=
100 2 200
n Lv nLv
=
100 2 200
mLv nLv (m n) Lv
Hence, Level of R above P = 200 200 = 200
(m n) Lv
400
Level of W above P =
QS =
QW
= SW
2
QS =
1 mLv (m n) Lv (m + n) Lv
2 200
400
800
ALv
QS = e =
800
The basic equation of the parabola was x = cy2, So at point Q when y=Lv/2 and x = e:
L
e = c v
2
c=
(Lv / 2)2
Therefore
x=
Since
ey 2
(Lv / 2)2
e=
ALv
800
then:
This is the general equation of the parabolic vertical curve and it is used to calculate
reduced levels along the curve.
Ay 2
x=
(200 Lv )
my
Ay 2
H =
100 200 Lv
=0
dy
100 100 Lv
This gives:
m
Ay
=
100 100 LV
And for a maximum of minimum value of H
LV m
y=
A
This gives the point along the curve at which a maximum or minimum value occurs. To
find the reduced level it is necessary to substitute back into the reduced levels formula
as follows:
H max/ min
m LV m A
=
100 A 200 LV
LV2 m 2
2
A
Lv m 2
=
200
A
Sight Distances
The length of vertical curve to be used depends on the sight distance. This is the
distance of visibility from one side of the carriageway on which a vertical curve is
located to the other. There are to categories of sight distance:
Stopping Sight Distance (SSD), which is the theoretical forward sight distance required
by a driver to stop safely and comfortably when faced an unexpected hazard.
- Full Overtaking Sight Distance (FOSD), which is the length of visibility required by
drivers of vehicles to enable them to overtake other vehicles on the road ahead in safety
and comfort. (FOSD values are greater than SSD values)
It is usually only necessary to design for FOSD at the crest of vertical curves on single
carriageways, as overtaking is not an issue on dual carriageways and on sag curve there
is usually adequate visibility.
For SSD drivers eye level height is taken as 1.05m, tall vehicles are taken as 2.00m and
small objects are taken at 0.26m (i.e. the height of tail lights of a car) which gives the
envelope of visibility below
K values
The minimum length of a vertical curve (min LV) for any given road is obtained from the
equation:
Min LV = KA metres
K is a constant obtained from the previous table which are derived from sight distances
and the design speed of the road.
Solution:
Through chainage of tangent points:
137.5
= 602.59m
2
Through chainage of R
137.5
= 671.34 +
= 740.09m
2
Reduced levels of Tangent points and reduced levels at exact 20m multiples of
through chainage along the curve:
mLV
= 93.60 1.03 = 92.57 m
200
nLV
=
93
.
60
To keep to exact multiples of through chainage there will be the need for an initial
short value of y of 620 - 602.59 = 17.41m. All other values of Y will increase in
steps of 20m until as last short section.
Working from P towards R the RLs of the points on the curve are as follows:
1.5 y 2.5 y 2
RL = 92.57 + H = 92.57 +
100
200
L
V
LV m 137.5 1.5
=
= 82.50m
A
2.5
L m2
137.5 1.5 2
= 92.57 +
= RLP + V
200 2.5
200 A
= 93.19m
In order to ensure there will be sufficient clearance, the curve must pass through
point Z of through chainage 2781.92m and RL 113.56m. The RL and through
chainage of the intersection point Q are 110.98m and 2815.63m.
Calculate the length of the curve that will meet these requirements.
Solution
the point Z is shown above located a horizontal distance y from the entry point P
and a height x above the entry gradient.
Since the point Z has a larger through chainage than Q, it must lie beyond the
intersection point. This distance y is given by:
y=
LV
L
+ (2871.92 2815.63) = V + 56.29m
2
2
therefore
LV = 2 y 112.58
100
= 113.56 110.98 +
(2.40 56.29)
100 = 3.931m
But
Ay 2
4.50 y 2
x=
=
= 3.931m
(200 Lv ) 200 Lv
y 2 = 349.42 y + 19668.98 = 0